A leaking gas cylinder in the house is reported to have caused the fire.

Former Congress lawmaker Siricilla Rajaiah's daughter-in-law and three grandchildren were burnt to death after a fire broke out at his residence early on Wednesday morning in Warangal city of Telangana.

A leaking gas cylinder caused the fire, which killed Sarika (Rajaiah's daughter-in-law) and her three sons – Abhinav, 7, Ayan, 3, and Sriyan, 3. The fire took place on the second floor of Rajaiah's residence in Hanamkonda area of Warangal city.

Meanwhile, Sarika's family members in Nizamabad district have expressed doubt on the reason behind the accident. They claimed that it could not be a fire accident and also ruled out any possibility of suicide, IANS reported.

After the death in his family, Rajaiah has told the party leadership that he is opting out of 21 November by-election to Warangal Lok Sabha constituency. Rajaiah had filed the nomination for the by-elections on Monday.